"Don't worry, gentlemen! You'll all get your turn!"
Spider-Man was swinging by the warehouse district when he noticed a group of thugs loading boxes of electronics into a van. He was now fighting them off, bring some excitement into what was otherwise a slow night.
"Why you pickin' on us, Webhead? We was just getting' some early Christmas shoppin' done."
"Christmas shopping involves an actual exchange of money for the items you desire, usually after standing in line for an ungodly amount of time. When you break into a warehouse, which is not a store, and you take what you want while wearing ski masks, it's just called stealing. But nice try."
With his spider-agility, Spider-Man easily dodged their attempts to fight back, not one of them landing a single punch. After leaving them webbed up for the police, the arachnid avenger went about his night.
Well, that was a nice distraction. A brief, but welcome one. The past few days it seems I'll do anything to get one. I nearly went to JJ just to chat. Yeesh! Talk about your low points. I am due at the Coffee Bean in twenty minutes to hang out with Harry and Flash. Between the two of those guys I'm sure there won't even be time to bring up my pathetic excuse for a love life.
"So what's the story with you and Gwen? Has she answered yet? Has she?"
Peter Parker was very, very wrong. From the second he sat down in the booth usually occupied by he and his friends, the thing he had no desire to talk about seemed to be the only topic on Flash's mind.
"Sorry, Peter. I told him not to ask."
"But you knew I was gonna. Come on, Pete, give me the scoop."
Peter let out a loud sigh, preparing himself to relive the agony the past few days had been.
"No, Flash, she hasn't responded. In class she seems to be sitting close to the door on purpose so that she can leave the second it's over. I tried texting her today, just to see if she had read it yet, and still nothing. I have no clue what's going on in her head right now and it's driving me crazy. Is that enough 'scoop' for you?"
"Sorry, man. When Harry told me not to ask, I didn't think it was that bad."
"It's…It's alright. A part of me wants to be mad at her. No response? After four days? Not one word? I mean, does she have any idea what it took for me to send that e-mail? To open myself up to her completely and leave myself vulnerable? But at the same time, I'm still concerned with her feelings. Who knows what she's going through? It could be a million different things. Her life is no cake walk. So, yeah, while I'd like some kind of acknowledgement, I understand her side of things completely. Sorry if I'm rambling, guys. I'm just in a bit of a weird place right now."
"No way, man. You're fine. Liz drove me a little nuts at times back at Midtown. Not quite in this way, though. But I feel your pain. We're here for ya, bro."
"Thanks, guys. That means a lot."
While receiving the expressos Harry had ordered for them before Peter had gotten there, a familiar, vivacious redhead walked in. It seemed Mary Jane Watson was on a date with yet another new guy, this time Brad Davis, quarterback for Empire State University. After being seated, Mary Jane left the star football player to say hello to Peter, Harry and Flash.
"What's up, guys? You three needed one last caffeine recharge before the weekend ended, too huh?"
"I believe Flash has an English paper to write and I have to finish up a history report, but my roomie over here was finished with his homework by yesterday afternoon."
"Homework on Saturdays? I thought that was outlawed?"
"Oh it was, MJ. I'm a wanted man. Please, don't call the police. I'm all my aunt has."
"Your secret's safe with me, Tiger. I'd better get back to Brad before he gets moody. Before I do, I just wanted to say that I saw the e-mail you sent Gwen. I was with her when she got it."
"You were? How'd she take it? Have you talked to her since?"
"She was definitely taken by surprise and no, I haven't. But just give her a little more time. If she has half a brain, she'll go for it. I, for one, thought it was an incredibly sweet gesture. I'd be beyond flattered if a guy sent that to me. Catch you later, guys."
"Thanks, Mary Jane. See ya later."
As Peter was watching Mary Jane walk back to her date, he turned his head to find his friends staring at him.
"What?"
"For the life of me, I don't know why you're not dating that girl."
"Because she's not into me, Harry."
"I'd beg to differ. There was flirty banter between the two of you just now. Am I right, Flash?"
"Definite banter occurred."
"That's just the way she is. There's nothing more to it, trust me. MJ's psychologically incapable of sticking with one guy. She admits as much."
"Whatever you say, 'Tiger'."
"Shut up, Flash."
The subject was quickly changed and for the next thirty minutes, Peter actually enjoyed himself. He, Harry and Flash swapped some stories and clowned around. The weight on Peter's shoulders lightened a little bit with each laugh. Looking at the clock, Peter knew it was time to call it a night. After they paid for their drinks and were getting up to leave, Mary Jane came running towards them.
"Guys, wait up! I just off the phone with Gwen."
Peter's heart started pounding at the mention of her name.
Relax, Peter. I don't know why MJ had to come tell us this, but don't let it be a big deal.
"Her father…he's been shot."
Oh, no. Gwen…
